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Diagenetic origin of the stratiform Cu–Co deposit at Kamoto in the Central African Copperbelt

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Abstract

Sediment-hosted stratiform ore deposits that underwent metamorphism and orogenesis are interpreted either to have a multiphase origin that might in part predate these events or to be exclusively related to fluid migration during the orogeny. This controversy concerns the formation of many world-class sediment-hosted ore deposits such as in the Central African Copperbelt. Here we present Re–Os dating results for disseminated and stratiform Cu–Co sulfide pseudomorphs after anhydrite in nodules and layers from the Copperbelt. Results demonstrate that at least some of the ores formed at around 800 Ma during rifting and basin development, and thus predate the Pan-African Lufilian orogeny. Younger Re–Os ages, i.e., between 682 ± 28 and 230 ± 36 Ma, may be due to the replacement of the early Cu–Co sulfides by younger sulfide phases. Alternatively, these younger ages may result from the disturbance or resetting of the Re–Os system during recrystallization/metamorphism or the transition of chalcocite from its high- to its low-temperature polymorph.

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Acknowledgments

We sincerely thank Holly Stein and an anonymous reviewer for their constructive comments that improved the manuscript and Hartwig Frimmel as the associate editor. We are grateful to Catherine Zimmerman for her assistance with the Re–Os analyses and Prof. E. Pirard (University of Liège, Belgium) for providing samples. Research was carried out in the framework of project G.0414.08 of the FWO-Vlaanderen.

Conflict of interest

The authors state that there is no disclosure of potential conflict of interest.

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The authors of the article “Diagenetic origin of the stratiform Cu–Co deposit at Kamoto in the Central African Copperbelt” that has been submitted to Mineralium Deposita confirm that they have read the sections “Ethical responsibilities of the authors,” “Compliance with ethical standards,” and “Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest” in the instruction for authors.

The authors confirm that they have followed the guidelines for ethical and professional conduct which conform the rules of good scientific practice. They guarantee the integrity of the research. The research has been carried which conforms the ethical standards: the research is objective and transparent, and the principles and professionalism have been followed. The framework (project) in which this study has been carried out is acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geodynamics and Geofluids Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, 3001, Leuven, Belgium

    Philippe Muchez & Hamdy A. El Desouky

  2. GeoRessources, Université de Lorraine-CNRS-CREGU, BP 70239, 54506, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France

    Anne-Sylvie André-Mayer

  3. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt

    Hamdy A. El Desouky

  4. Centre de Recherches Pétrographiques et Géochimiques (CRPG), UMR 7358 CNRS-Université de Lorraine, BP 20, 54501, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France

    Laurie Reisberg

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  1. Philippe Muchez
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Correspondence to Philippe Muchez.

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Muchez, P., André-Mayer, AS., El Desouky, H.A. et al. Diagenetic origin of the stratiform Cu–Co deposit at Kamoto in the Central African Copperbelt. Miner Deposita 50, 437–447 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-015-0582-3

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